US Army exceeds its 2025 fiscal year recruiting goal four months ahead of schedule

The U.S. Army announced Tuesday that it has surpassed its fiscal 2025 recruiting goal, bringing in 61,000 new recruits four months before the period's end.

The milestone marks the best start in recruiting since 2014, Army officials reported in an official release.

During a panel at the AI Expo in Washington, D.C., Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll highlighted the factors that contributed to this success.

Driscoll thanked President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth for their “decisive leadership and support which helped make this feat possible,” which he called critical to achieving this goal. "Today the U.S. Army met our FY25 recruiting goals a whole four months ahead of schedule," he said.

The announcement comes after years of recruiting and retention challenges.

Driscoll acknowledged that the branch had faced difficulties in the past, but noted that “days are behind the branch” thanks to the efforts of recruiting teams.

The data reflect a positive change in that regard: in December, the Army reported an average of 350 enlistments per day, a sign of the growing attraction of young Americans to military service.

Strategic changes in recruiting

This year's success is partly attributed to a series of reforms implemented since October 2023. Among the changes, the Army broadened its approach to the labor market, created a specialized talent acquisition force, and streamlined the enlistment process.

A key component was also the expansion of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, designed to assist recruits in overcoming academic and physical barriers without compromising quality standards.

Future prospects

Despite this achievement, the Army faced recent difficulties.

With the 2025 goal already met, the Army will continue to recruit, but new enlistees will enter the deferred entry program.